4. Park Chalet Garden Restaurant&#61654;1000 Great Highway&#61654;: Located downstairs and around the back of the Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant, its sister eatery features flat bread pizzas and a children's menu. Kick back in one of the oversize white chairs while the kids scamper around on the large lawn next to Golden Gate Park. (415) 386-8439&#61654;. www.beachchalet.com&#61654;.

Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession

4. Park Chalet Garden Restaurant&#61654;1000 Great...

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3. Ocean Beach&#61654;Great Highway: Ocean Beach's 3½-mile stretch features a sandy shoreline for a leisurely walk, places for a family picnic and spots to do some fishing. Its chilly waters mainly appeal to seasoned surfers, as dangerous, rapid rip currents keep most away. A posted sign warns that people wading and swimming here have drowned. http://bit.ly/1hxntPq&#61654;.

At the 2014 Bay to Breakers, who are you gonna be? Classic runner, costumed superhero or part of a centipede? Join the mass of participants, ranging from dedicated runners to those out for a playful stroll, making their way through the city in the annual 12K footrace, which started in 1912.

1. Land's End Lookout

680 Point Lobos Ave.: First, sit and gaze dreamily at the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Then go inside the visitor center to learn about the native fauna, browse the gift shop's retro-style Sutro Baths poster and signs, and then pick up a snack at the cafe. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. (415) 426-5240. http://1.usa.gov/IZ3C10.

2. Louis'

902 Point Lobos Ave.: Customers receive a warm greeting at this family-owned restaurant opened in 1937. Choose a booth next to the windows with sea views while enjoying homemade soups served with sourdough bread, cheeseburgers, steaks, and fish and chips. Cash only. ATM located inside. (415) 387-6330. www.louissf.com.

3. Ocean Beach

Great Highway: Ocean Beach's 3 1/2-mile stretch features a sandy shoreline for a leisurely walk, places for a family picnic and spots to do some fishing. Its chilly waters appeal mainly to seasoned surfers, because dangerous, rapid rip currents keep most others away. http://bit.ly/1hxntPq.

4. Park Chalet Garden Restaurant

1000 Great Highway: Located downstairs and around the back of the Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant, its sister eatery features flat-bread pizzas and a children's menu. Kick back in one of the oversize white chairs while the kids scamper around on the large lawn next to Golden Gate Park. (415) 386-8439. www.beachchalet.com.

6. Doggie Diner head

Sloat Boulevard and 45th Avenue: Perched above a median, the Doggie Diner head prompts curious glances from tourists and knowing smiles from longtime residents, who recall the chain founded by Al Ross. Designed by Harold Bachman, the bow-tied dachshund is San Francisco Landmark No. 254.

PARKING

Limited street parking on the Great Highway. Several streets will be closed for the race. (Check Bay to Breakers website for details.) Bauer's Transportation shuttles include BART express (from the finish line to the Embarcadero BART station) and North, South and East bays. $13-$23 per person. (Buy tickets at http://bit.ly/MrDopo.)

GETTING THERE

Public transit: From the Civic Center BART station, take Muni's 38 Geary to 48th and Point Lobos avenues. From downtown S.F., you can also take the N-Judah, 5-Fulton and 31-Balboa to La Playa, which is one block east of the Great Highway. Muni's No. 18 bus stops along several stops along Point Lobos Avenue and the Great Highway. www.bart.gov, www.sfmuni.com.

By car from the North Bay: Take Highway 101 south to San Francisco and take the 19th Avenue/Golden Gate Park exit on to Highway 1 south. Turn right on Geary Boulevard and continue to Point Lobos Avenue and turn left on the Great Highway.